To support families with children between 1 January and 30 April, considering the increase of energy prices, Latvian state will pay monthly EUR 50 benefit for each – EUR 200 in total (4 months x EUR 50). There are many questions about this form of aid for residents. This is why the Ministry of the Welfare has compiled the most frequently asked questions and has prepared answers.
How to apply for this benefit?
The EUR 50 monthly benefit for every child from 1 January 2022 until 30 April 2022 is available to:
persons eligible for child care benefits for children under one year of age or family state benefit in accordance to the Law on State Social Allowances;
persons who are eligible to receive maternity benefits due to childbirth and if the child was born before 30 April 2022;
persons who are raising a child older than 16 years but younger than 18 years, who does not study at a general or vocational education institution, higher education institution or college;
parent, guardian, foster family or head of a lasting social care or social rehabilitation institution, social correction education facility or prison, or if a child is a refugee or holder of alternative status;
person who is engaged in studies at a general education or vocational education institution or higher education, including college, and is under 24 years. Benefit will be paid to the child if he or she has reached the age of 18 years. Students who are provided with residence permit in Latvia are not eligible for the benefit.
The benefit for a single child will be paid only once, regardless of change of recipients or other conditions.
Is it necessary to write a separate application to receive this support?
The benefit will be paid automatically, and there is no need to submit a separate request to the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA):
for persons who have the right to receive child care benefit for a child under the age of one year;
for persons who are eligible for state family aid;
for persons who have the right to receive maternity aid if their child was born before 30 April 2022.
It is necessary to submit a benefit request to VSAA for a child that:
stays in a lasting social care or social rehabilitation institution, social correction facility or prison;
if a child is a refugee or a holder of alternative status;
is older than 16 years, but has not reached the age of 18 years, does not study at a general or vocational education institution, higher education institution or college.
What information should be reported to VSAA?
Applicants will need to state their name, surname and personal code (if the application is submitted by the head of an institution, it is necessary to state the name of the institution), phone number or e-mail address, information about the child for which the benefit is requested (name, surname and personal number). It is also necessary to state an account in a Latvian bank.
More information available on VSAA website.
How to submit an application to VSAA?
Applications for provision of benefits can be submitted to VSAA:
electronically to VSAA official e-mail address;
applications sent to VSAA official e-mail (pasts@vsaa.gov.lv) have to be signed using a secure electronic signature;
applications can also be submitted to any customer support centre or by putting it in any VSAA customer service centre’s mailbox.
During the state of emergency VSAA receives requests for benefits submitted using latvija.lv.
What are the terms for submission of applications to VSAA?
Applications for the provision of benefits should be submitted to VSAA within six months of the law coming into force (by 29.07.2022).
Is the benefit available to youngsters who study abroad?
Yes, it is. If a person studies abroad, they need to provide a statement from the education institution on top of the aforementioned information.
The document needs to make it unambiguously clear the person for whom it was issued does, indeed, study at the education institution. If a document was issued in a foreign language, it is also necessary to include a translation.
Is the benefit available to students younger than 24 but who have already married?
Yes, it is. The right to receive the benefit does not depend on other conditions, such as whether or not the person is employed or married while continuing studies. The benefit is available regardless of the form of education (distance learning or academic pause).
When and how will this benefit be paid?
Generally VSAA will start paying the benefit to most recipients in February. The initial amount will cover both February and January (EUR 100 in total). After that the benefit will be paid in the amount of EUR 50 in March and April.
The person who has the right to receive maternity benefit and whose child was born before 30 April 2022 the benefit will be paid within 45 days of being provided the maternity benefit.
Persons who have to submit a request for the benefit will be paid within 45 days after VSAA has received the application.
Will debts be deducted from this benefit?
The benefit is not subject to debt collection.
More information is available on the official website of VSAA.
EUR 200 benefit for families with children in Latvia – questions and answers
